Bulk Carriers Flashcards
Describe the Hazards related to bulk carriers when loading and/or discharging…
- Structural = damage, bending moments, sheer force, stresses
- Chemical = liquefaction, toxic, self ignition/combustion
- Stability = shift of G (from wet or dry shift) and initial GM
Define “Angle of Repose”
The maximum slope angle of a non-cohesive (free flowing) granular material
What is considered to be “High Density” cargo and what are the main hazards with this cargo?
High Density cargo considered with a Stowage Factor of equal to or less than 0.56m3/t
Found within the cargo manifest
Increase sheer force & bending moments if not placed correctly, structural damage to the ship
How would you load high density cargoes?
Develop a Cargo & Ballast plan
Ensure sequence, quantity and rate have been agreed
Speed of load/unload same as ballast/deballast
Distribute evenly
Ensure stability monitored (seaway SF & BM not exceeded)
Initial & final conditions, monitor and stop at various stages before continuing onto next stage (0%-25%, stop and monitor etc)
Before using lifting equipment on board ship, what should you consider?
- Risk Assessment
- Ensure access is prevented for unauthorised personnel
- Equipment is safeguarded and free from defects
- Produce safe system of work (of the equipment & persons working)
- Equipment is stable, installed properly
- It is right for the job
- Emergency stops identified and tested
- Documents & certificates up to date
What are the bulk cargo groups?
A = cargoes that may liquefy
B = cargoes with a chemical hazard
C = cargoes that don’t liquefy or have a chemical hazard
Describe the CARGO tank ingress alarms on a bulk carrier…
Water Ingress Alarms (visual & audible)
- First stage = 0.5m height of the cargo tank
- Second stage = not less than 15% height but no more than 2m height of the cargo tank
What is Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)?
Maximum moisture content of the cargo to consider safe for transport
What is Flow Moisture Point (FMP)?
Percentage moisture content at which a flow state develops
What is Flow State?
A state when a cargo is saturated to the point it starts to behave like a liquid
How can you test the cargo for liquid before loading?
“Can Test”
Fill a can with 0.5-1 litre of cargo, take the can and hit it onto a hard surface at 0.2m in height 25 times at 1/2 sec intervals. Examine for free moisture on the surface of cargo or fluid condition
You have conducted the “Can Test” before loading your bulk cargo and have noticed free moisture on top of the cargo. What should you do?
- Collect Evidence of test
- Reject cargo
- Consult local P&I
- Have the cargo set off to a laboratory for further testing to see if it’s still acceptable for transportation
After the “Can Test” what should you receive from the laboratory once the results come back?
Certificate of Analysis - includes the TML of the cargo and the actual moisture content
Where would you find the moisture information (e.g. TML) of a cargo?
Shipper’s Declaration
If a cargo was to have a high angle of repose, how would it behave?
If it was to shift, it would tend to remain in the position after shifting, causing a list to the vessel
If a cargo was to have a low angle of repose, how would it behave?
If it was to shift, it would act similar as a liquid, with the potential to cause free surface moments, reducing stability of the vessel
What is considered as a low angle of repose, and how should you sort this cargo?
Low angle of repose = less than 30 degrees
Should be sorted as per the Grain Code
Name the different tests that you carry out on the cargo hatches…
- Chalk Test
- Hose Test
- Ultrasonic Test
Describe the procedure for the Chalk Test on a cargo hatch…
Ensuring the cargo holds are empty, on calm seas and dry conditions, open the hatches and mark around the edge of the hatch with chalk.
Once done, close the hatch cover and then reopen.
You should see that the rubber seal for the hold should have chalk on it, and not interrupted.
If it is, then this could indicate a misalignment of the hold
When conducting a Chalk Test on a cargo hold, does this test indicate weather/watertightness?
No, it only shows the alignment of the rubber seal to the hold
Describe the procedure for the Hose Test on a cargo hatch…
Ensuring the cargo holds are empty, on calm seas and dry conditions, keep hatches closed, rig hose, PPE, communications set up, competent person in hold and then start spraying water on the hatch coamings. Remain in contact with person inside hold to monitor where the person with hose is moving, so they can check if water is seeping through the coaming
Stability Requirements - GRAIN
Vessel upright upon completion of loading
Minimum GM = 0.30m
Angle of heel due to grain shift = 12 degrees or angle of DEI (whichever lesser)
Area under the Curve = 0.075mr (measured from either 40 degrees, angle of flooding or difference between the curves)
Stability Requirements - TIMBER
Minimum GM = 0.10m
Maximum GZ = at least 0.25m
Area under the Curve 0 - 40 degrees or angle of flooding = 0.08mr
Extra Criteria Exemption
The effects of beam wind and rolling = 80% of angle DEI may be ignored
Name some of the information you would find in the Shipper’s Declaration…
- BCSN (Bulk Cargo Shipping Name)
- IMO Class
- UN Number
- Total Quantity
- Stowage Factor (SF)
- Trimming procedure
- Angle of Repose
- TML
How would the crew ensure that their ship is seaworthy before taking bulk cargo?
- Weathertight
- Approved stability booklet and loading booklet
- Hatch openings of sufficient size
- Hatch identification numbers (in relation to the loading plan)
- Stress calculators
- Propulsion & aux machinery in good order
- Hatches working order
- List indicators
- Cargo handling equipment, if fitted, working
- Valid Document of Compliance
Why is it important to have a fluid exchange of information between ship & terminal before loading bulk cargo?
Ship - Terminal = loading / unloading can be planned
Terminal - Ship = precautions can be arranged
Overall = sufficient time to get preparations ready
What information should be given to the terminal by the ship prior to arrival?
- ETA
- Vessel ID
- Particulars
- Loading / unloading plan (quantity, hatches, order)
- Arrival & intended departure draughts
- Time of de-ballasting / ballasting
- Capacities of ship’s cargo handling gear
- Mooring equipment
What information should be given to the ship by the terminal prior to arrival?
- Estimated times of loading / unloading
- Cargo rates
- Max depth at berth with tides
- Arrangements for safe access
- Tugs availability
- De-ballasting restrictions
What is in a Cargo Securing Manual (CSM)?
- Cargo in which vessel is suitable to carry
- How the cargo should be loaded
- How the cargo should be stowed
- How the cargo should be secured
- Vessel’s cargo securing equipment
- Mandatory under SOLAS Ch VI & VII
What precautions you need to take before conducting a heavy lift?
- Risk assessment, tool-box talk
- Crew are trained and certified to use equipment
- Comms are maintained throughout
- Plan agreed
- Adequate stability (GM & to reduce list)
- Equipment tested - emergency stop, general operation, examined
- Area of swing determined and marked
- Equipment suitable for the job (SWL, bolted down, stable, visibility)
What is the ESP Code? How does it apply for? Why is it there?
ESP = Enhanced Survey Programme Code
It applies to bulk carries & oil tankers
Establishes a survey standard for the regular and safe survey of the cargo and ballast areas
What type of surveys are there as part of the ESP?
- Annual
- Intermediate
- Renewal
- Dry Dock
What can be checked during an ESP inspection?
- Ship structure damage or deformation
- Watertight integrity
- Corrosion
- Condition of hull
-Pitting - Condition of Coatings
What is Fumigation? What cargo is this operation carried out on?
Fumigation is a pest control method, to ensure grain cargoes don’t carry pests as the cargo is transported
Describe “Ship Sweat”…
When a cargo is loaded in a warm, moist environment and the ship sails to a colder destination, the colder sea temperatures cools the ship’s steelwork, which in turn the atmosphere in the hold will cool & condensate, damaging the cargo
Describe “Cargo Sweat”…
When a cargo is loaded in a cold, dry environment and the ship sails to a hotter destination, if ventilation is introduced of warmer, moist air, this will cool and condensate when in contact with the cargo, damaging the cargo
How would you prevent ship sweat from happening?
HOT TO COLD = VENT THE HOLD
With the 3 degree rule, if the outside temp drops 3 degrees in comparison to the hold temp, then you need to vent the hold
How would you prevent cargo sweat from happening?
COLD TO HOT = VENT NOT
Temperature doesn’t change much in grain cargoes, so there is no need to add the warm, moist air in the colder hold, otherwise this will damage the cargo
Where would you find your record of equipment to be able to carry dangerous goods?
Vessel’s Document of Compliance - Schedule II
What list of equipment could you have in your Document of Compliance - Schedule II?
- Fixed fire systems
- Fire detection systems
- Remote activation of fire pumps
- Ventilation
- Bilge pump & alarm arrangements
- Electric wire protection
- Personnel protection (4 protection sets for chemical spills, two additional SCBA’s, dry powder extinguishers totalling 12kg)
